[Contemporary diagnostics and therapy of osteoporosis].

Since the World Health Organisation's announcement of the "Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010" diseases of the musculoskeletal system attract more and more attention throughout patients and professional health care providers. In an aging society especially osteoporosis represents a major public health concern. Fragility fractures are the most limiting condition in osteoporosis with the highest impact on both, life quality and health care systems worldwide. Orthopaedic surgeons play a key role in implementing primary diagnostics and therapy in patients with fragility fractures. Objective of this effort is the reduction of the common subsequent fractures in patients with osteoporosis. According to national and international guidelines implementation of contemporary clinical pathways to diagnose and treat patients with fractures due to diminished bone mineral density is fast, simple and proven to be effective.